The Summer of Beer and Whiskey

How Brewers, Barkeeps, Rowdies, Immigrants, and A Wild Pennant Fight Made Baseball America's Game

Chris Von der Ahe knew nothing about baseball when he founded the franchise St. Louis Cardinals. Yet the German-born beer garden proprietor became one of the most important figures in the game's history. Although he only picked up the team to sell more beer, he helped gather a group of ragtag professional clubs together to create a maverick new league that would fight the National League.

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A German immigrant founds a new baseball franchise, so he can sell more beer, and changes the sport forever. Chris Von der Ahe is a wonderfully unforgettable character and the story depicts a rough and raucous time in history.

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A German immigrant founds a new baseball franchise, so he can sell more beer, and changes the sport forever. Chris Von der Ahe is a wonderfully unforgettable character and the story depicts a rough and raucous time in history.